Schiavo to chair Raynham Board of Selectmen

RAYNHAM — Richard Schiavo became the chairperson of the Raynham Board of Selectmen last Tuesday, taking over for Joseph Pacheco as the board reconfigured after a town election was held two weeks ago.

Marie Smith was re-elected, after running unopposed, to her fifth non--consecutive term on the Raynham Board of Selectmen. She thanked town voters for participating in the election.

“You have to beat the blanks,” said Smith, who was elected for her third consecutive three-year term. “I truly thank everyone who went out there in that nasty weather to do voting.”

Also, during last Tuesday night’s meeting, the three-person Board of Selectmen approved a transfer of a liquor license to the new owners of a Broadway restaurant opening in mid-June. Jeff Sinkiewicz, owner of Slapshots, inherited the license from the previous proprietors of the building that ran The Flying Dog.

Steve Macdonald, whose home abuts the restaurant, was concerned about an entertainment license at the restaurant, which was apparently previously awarded, and the problems it could create for his family. Sinkiewicz said that he would be hosting live bands on Fridays and Saturdays, but that he would get sound-proofing material and would make sure there isn’t any problems.

Schiavo said that the selectmen would like to hear back from Macdonald if there is any problem when the restaurant opens and then deal with it from there.

The selectmen also received a letter from town resident Ron Francis on North Main Street about a light pole in front of his home being hit four times. Francis asked the selectmen to reexamine the situation, and they agreed to take the matter under advisement.

In recent weeks, the selectmen also appointed Adam Perry as the town animal control officer.

The selectmen received notice from the Bristol County Mosquito Control Project that the agency was going to begin aerial application of larvicide in the swamps in Raynham including the Hockomock Swamp and the Pine Swamp. Town Administrator Randall Buckner said the larvicide is not being applied in residential areas.

The selectmen also gave Mike Lally, who recently decided not to run again for the Raynham Board of Assessors, a proclamation for his contributions to the town.